Dielectric Ceramic Composition and Ceramic Electronic Component

ABSTRACT

A dielectric ceramic composition includes a compound having perovskite type crystal structure shown by a general formula ABO 3 , where A is at least one selected from Ba, Ca and Sr, and B is at least one selected from Ti and Zr. The dielectric ceramic composition includes, as subcomponents, an oxide of RA (Dy, Gd and Tb); an oxide of RB (Ho and Y); an oxide of RC (Yb and Lu); Mg oxide and an oxide including Si in terms of RA 2 O 3 , RB 2 O 3 , RC 2 O 3 , Mg and Si, respectively. Also, when contents of the oxide of RA, RB and RC with respect to 100 moles of the compound are defined as “α”, “β” and “γ”, respectively, they satisfy relations of 1.2≦(α/β)≦5.0 and 0.5≦(β/γ)≦10.0.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/037,739, filed Mar. 1, 2011. This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-049498 filed Mar. 5, 2010, No. 2011-008689 filed Jan. 19, 2011, and No. 2011-185017 filed Aug. 26, 2011. The disclosure of the prior applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dielectric ceramic composition and a ceramic electronic component in which said dielectric ceramic composition is applied to a dielectric layer, particularly, a dielectric ceramic composition and a ceramic electronic component having good characteristics, even when the dielectric layer is made thinner.

A multilayer ceramic capacitor which is one example of ceramic electronic components is widely used as electronic component having compact size, high efficiency and high reliability, and the number used in electric and electronic apparatuses is large. In recent years, along with downsizing such apparatuses and improving performance thereof, demands for further compact size, high performance and high reliability to a multilayer ceramic capacitor become more growing.

In order to respond to such demands, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. H10-223471 describes a multilayer ceramic capacitor having a dielectric ceramic layer in which barium titanate includes two kinds of rare earth oxides and other metal oxides. Japanese Patent Publication No. H10-223471 also describes this multilayer ceramic capacitor shows good specific permittivity, insulation resistance, temperature characteristic and climate proof performance such as high temperature load lifetime and the like.

However, a thickness of the dielectric layer of the multilayer ceramic capacitor described in examples of the Japanese Patent Publication No. H10-223471 is 8 μm, thus there is a problem that improvement of properties cannot be attained when the dielectric layer is made thinner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made by considering such situation, and a purpose of the invention is to provide a dielectric ceramic composition having good characteristics, and a ceramic electronic component in which the dielectric ceramic composition is applied to a dielectric layer.

In order to achieve the above mentioned purposes, a dielectric ceramic composition according to the present invention includes a compound having perovskite type crystal structure shown by a general formula ABO₃, where A is at least one selected from Ba, Ca and Sr, and B is at least one selected from Ti and Zr, as a main component. The dielectric ceramic composition also includes, as subcomponents, with respect to 100 moles of the compound, 0.6 to 2.5 moles of an oxide of RA in terms of RA₂O₃, where RA is at least one selected from Dy, Gd and Tb; 0.2 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of RB in terms of RB₂O₃, where RB is at least one selected from Ho and Y; 0.1 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of RC in terms of RC₂O₃, where RC is at least one selected from Yb and Lu; 0.8 to 2.0 moles of an oxide of Mg in terms of Mg; and 1.2 to 3.0 moles of an oxide including Si in terms of Si. Also, when contents of the oxide of RA, RB and RC with respect to 100 moles of the compound are defined as “α”, “β” and “γ”, respectively, the “α”, “β” and “γ” satisfy relations of 1.2≦(α/β)≦5.0 and 0.5≦(β/γ)≦10.0.

In the present invention, by setting content of each component within the above range, a dielectric ceramic composition having good various characteristics can be obtained even when a dielectric layer is made thinner. Particularly, by dividing rare earth elements into three groups and setting content ratios thereof within the above ranges, the degree of solute rare earth elements in the main component (ABO₃) can be controlled. As a result, conflicting characteristics can be compatible.

Preferably, the dielectric ceramic composition further includes, as a subcomponent, 0.03 to 0.12 mole of an oxide of at least one selected from V, Mo and W in terms of V, Mo and W.

Preferably, the dielectric ceramic composition further includes, as a subcomponent, 0.10 to 0.2 mole of an oxide of Mn and/or Cr in terms of Mn and Cr.

The dielectric ceramic composition can improve characteristics further by including the above components.

Preferably, the ABO₃ is BaTiO₃. By having this constitution, a dielectric ceramic composition having large capacity and high reliability can be obtained.

Also, a ceramic electronic component according to the present invention comprises a dielectric layer composed of any one of the above mentioned dielectric ceramic compositions and an electrode. It is preferable that a thickness of the dielectric layer is 5 μm or less. As for the ceramic electronic component, although it is not particularly limited, a multilayer ceramic capacitor, a piezo element, a chip inductor, chip varistor, a chip thermistor, a chip resistance and other surface mounted device (SMD) chip type electronic components are exemplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a multilayer ceramic capacitor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Below, the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawing.

(Multilayer Capacitor 1)

As shown in FIG. 1, a multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 as one example of multilayer ceramic electronic component comprises a capacitor element body 10 in which a dielectric layer 2 and an internal electrode layer 3 are alternately stacked. The internal electrode layers 3 are stacked so that each end face is alternately exposed to surfaces of the two opposed end portions of the capacitor device body 10. Also, the pair of external electrodes 4 is formed at both end portions of the capacitor device body 10, and connected with the exposed end faces of the alternately-stacked internal electrode layers 3 to form a capacitor circuit.

Although the shape of the capacitor element body 10 is not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 1, normally, it is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Also, a dimension thereof is not particularly limited, it may be decided appropriately depending on the use.

(Dielectric Layer 2)

The dielectric layer 2 is composed of a dielectric ceramic composition according to the present embodiment. The dielectric ceramic composition according to the present embodiment includes, as a main component, a compound shown by a general formula ABO₃ (“A” is at least one selected from Ba, Ca and Sr, and “B” is at least one selected from Ti and Zr). Also, the dielectric ceramic composition includes dielectric particles whose main component is ABO₃.

As for the ABO₃, for example, a compound shown by {(Ba_((100-x-y))Ca_(x)Sr_(y))O}_(u) (Ti_((100-z))Zr_(z))_(v)O₂ is exemplified. Note that, although any of “u”, “v”, “x”, “γ” and “z” is within an arbitrary range, it is preferable that they are within a following range.

In the above formula, the “x” is preferably 0≦x≦10, more preferably 0≦x≦5. The “x” shows number of Ca atoms, and a capacitance temperature coefficient and a specific permittivity can be controlled arbitrarily by setting the “x” within the above range. When the “x” is too large, the specific permittivity tends to be reduced. In the present embodiment, the Ca may not be included necessarily.

In the above formula, the “γ” is preferably 0≦y≦10, more preferably 0≦y≦5. The “γ” shows number of Sr atoms, and the specific permittivity can be improved by setting the “y” within the above range. When the “y” is too large, the temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated. In the present embodiment, the Sr may not be included necessarily.

In the above formula, the “z” is preferably 0≦z≦30, more preferably 0≦z≦15. The “z” shows number of Zr atoms, and the specific permittivity can be improved by setting the “z” within the above range. When the “z” is too large, the temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated. In the present embodiment, the Zr may not be included necessarily.

In the present embodiment, as for the ABO₃, barium titanate (preferably, shown by Ba_(u)Ti_(v)O₃, where u/v is 0.995≦u/v≦1.010) can be used preferably.

The dielectric ceramic composition according to the present embodiment includes, in addition to the above main component, an oxide of RA, an oxide of RB, an oxide of RC, an oxide of Mg and an oxide including Si, as subcomponents. “RA”, “RB” and “RC” are three groups to which specific rare earth elements are divided.

When a content of the oxide of RA is defined as “α”, the “α” is 0.6 to 2.5 moles, preferably 1.2 to 2.5 moles, in terms of RA₂O₃ with respect to 100 moles of ABO₃. When the “α” is too much, the specific permittivity tends to be decreased and temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated. On the other hand, when it is too little, high temperature accelerated lifetime tends to be deteriorated. The RA is at least one selected from Dy, Gd and Tb, and is particular preferably Dy or Gd. In the case in which the RA is Gd, the above effects are sufficiently obtained, even when the content of the oxide of RA (a) is relatively little or after-mentioned “α/β” is relatively small.

When a content of the oxide of RB is defined as β, the “β” is 0.2 to 1.0 mole, preferably 0.2 to 0.6 mole, in terms of RB₂O₃ with respect to 100 moles of ABO₃. When β is too much, the specific permittivity tends to be decreased and high temperature accelerated lifetime tends to be deteriorated. On the other hand, when it is too little, temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated. The RB is at least one selected from Ho and Y, and is particular preferably Ho.

When a content of the oxide of RC is defined as “γ”, the “γ” is 0.1 to 1.0 mole, preferably 0.1 to 0.6 mole, in terms of RC₂O₃ with respect to 100 moles of ABO₃. When “γ” is too much, the specific permittivity tends to be decreased and high temperature accelerated lifetime tends to be deteriorated. On the other hand, when it is too little, temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated. The RC is at least one selected from Yb and Lu, and is particular preferably Yb.

Also, the “α”, “β” and “γ” satisfy relations of 1.2≦α/β≦5.0 and 0.5≦β/γ≦10.0.

Particularly, when the RA is Dy, it is preferable that “α/β” satisfies a relation of 3.0≦α/β≦4.25. Also, it is preferable that “β/γ” satisfies a relation of 0.5≦β/γ≦6.0. Further preferably, they satisfy relations of 3.0≦α/β≦4.25 and 0.5≦β/γ≦6.0. When they do not satisfy the above relations, it tends to be hard to achieve a good balance between temperature characteristic and high temperature accelerated lifetime.

Furthermore, by satisfying relations of 0.5≦β/γ2.0, preferably 0.5≦β/γ≦1.0, more preferably 0.5≦β/γ≦0.95, it brings an advantage that the amount of RB used can be reduced, resulting in cost reduction, as well as achieving a good balance between temperature characteristic and high temperature accelerated lifetime.

Also, when the RA is Gd, it is preferable that “α/β” satisfies a relation of 1.4≦α/β≦3.0. Also, it is preferable that “β/γ” satisfies a relation of 0.5≦β/γ≦6.0. Further preferably, they satisfy relations of 1.4≦α/β≦3.0 and 0.5≦β/γ≦6.0. By satisfying the above relations, it brings an advantage that the amount of RA used can be reduced, resulting in cost reduction, as well as achieving a good balance between temperature characteristic and high temperature accelerated lifetime.

Furthermore, by satisfying relations of 0.5≦β/γ≦2.0, preferably 0.5≦β/γ≦1.0, more preferably 0.5≦β/γ≦0.95, it brings an advantage that the amount of RB used can be reduced, resulting in cost reduction, as well as achieving a good balance between temperature characteristic and high temperature accelerated lifetime.

In the present embodiment, metal elements of the subcomponents, for example, the RA, RB and RC are solid-soluted in a dielectric particle whose main component is the ABO₃. Note that, the dielectric particle may have so-called core-shell structure or may have a totally solid-solution type structure.

In the present embodiment, specific rare earth elements are divided into three groups (RA, RB and RC) based on values of effective ion radius for six-fold coordination. Rare earth elements, normally, substitute A site of ABO₃ and are solid-soluted into ABO₃. When the difference between the effective ionic radius of the rare earth elements and that of the A site atom is small, the rare earth'elements can substitute A site (be solid-soluted) easily. When the difference is large, the rare earth elements are hard to substitute A site (be solid-soluted).

In the present embodiment, the elements that the difference between ionic radius of A site atom and that of it is small correspond with RA, and the elements that the difference in ionic radius between A site atom and the same is large correspond with RC. The degree of solute RA into ABO₃ is different from that of solute RC. The RA tends to easily be solid-soluted into ABO₃ totally while the RC tends to be only solid-soluted into periphery of ABO₃ and forms core-shell structure. As a result, RA improves lifetime of the dielectric ceramic composition, however, temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated. On the other hand, RC improves temperature characteristic of the dielectric ceramic composition, however, lifetime tends to be deteriorated.

Therefore, it would appear to achieve a good balance between temperature characteristic and lifetime by controlling the contents and ratios of RA and RC, and preventing RA from being excessively solid-soluted into ABO₃ with addition of RC. However, that is insufficient.

Thus, in the present embodiment, by including rare earth elements (RB) which have intermediate effective ionic radius between that of RA and that of RC, the degrees of solute three kinds of rare earth elements are controlled so as to achieve a good balance between temperature characteristic and lifetime. In addition, by setting the contents of RA, RB and RC (“α”, “β” and “γ”) within the above ranges, other characteristics (specific permittivity, CR product and the like) can be improved with achieving the good balance between temperature characteristic and lifetime.

A content of an oxide of Mg is 0.8 to 2.0 moles, preferably 1.3 to 2.0 moles, in terms of Mg with respect to 100 moles of ABO₃. When the content of the oxide of Mg is too much, high temperature accelerated lifetime tends to be deteriorated. On the other hand, when it is too little, temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated due to too much grain growth.

A compound including Si mainly has a role of sintering aids. Also, a content of compound including Si is 1.2 to 3.0 moles, preferably 1.2 to 1.9 moles, in terms of Si with respect to 100 moles of ABO₃. Note that, as for the compound including Si, it may be composite oxide including Si and the like, is preferably the oxide which does not include elements substituting A site of ABO₃ (for example, Ca or Ba), and is more preferably SiO₂ alone. When the elements which substitute A site are included, a ratio of A/B in ABO₃ which is the main component probably changes.

It is preferable that the dielectric ceramic composition according to the present embodiment further includes, as subcomponents, an oxide of at least one selected from V, Mo and W, and an oxide of Mn and/or Cr.

A content of the oxide of at least one selected from V, Mo and W is preferably 0.03 to 0.12 mole, more preferably 0.07 to 0.12 mole, in terms of V, Mo and W with respect to 100 moles of ABO₃. When the content of the above oxide is too much, insulation resistance (CR product) tends to be deteriorated. On the other hand, when it is too little, high temperature accelerated lifetime tends to be deteriorated. In the present embodiment, V is preferable.

A content of the oxide of Mn and/or Cr is preferably 0.10 to 0.2 mole, more preferably 0.15 to 0.2 mole, in terms of Mn and/or Cr with respect to 100 moles of ABO₃. When the content of the oxide of Mn and/or Cr is too much, temperature characteristic tends to be deteriorated. On the other hand, when it is too little, insulation resistance tends to be lower. In the present embodiment, Mn is preferable.

Although a crystal particle size of the dielectric particle included in the dielectric ceramic composition according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, in order to respond to the demand for making the dielectric layer thinner, it is preferably 0.15 to 0.30 μm. Also, the dielectric ceramic composition according to the present embodiment may further include other components depending on desired characteristics.

A thickness of the dielectric layer 2 is preferably 5.0 μm or below per layer.

Although the number of stacked layers of the dielectric layer 2 is not particularly limited, it is preferably 20 or more, more preferably 50 or more, particularly preferably 100 or more. Although not particularly limited, an upper limit of the number of stacked layers is for example, 2000 and so on.

(Internal Electrode Layer 3)

Although a conductive material included in the internal electrode layer 3 is not particularly limited, comparatively inexpensive base metal may be used, because the material constituting the dielectric layer 2 has resistance to reduction. As for the base metal of the conductive material, Ni or Ni alloy is preferable. As for the Ni alloy, an alloy of at least one kind of elements selected from Mn, Cr, Co and Al with Ni, and Ni content amount in the alloy is preferably 95 wt. % or more. Note that, in the Ni or Ni alloy, 0.1 wt % or below or so of various miner component such as P and the like may be included. Although a thickness of the internal electrode layer 3 may be suitably decided depending on a purpose of use and the like, it is normally preferably 0.1 to 3 μm, particularly preferably 0.2 to 2.0 μm and so on.

(External Electrode 4)

Although a conductive material included in an external electrode 4 is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, inexpensive Ni, Cu and their alloys may be used. A thickness of the external electrode may be suitably decided depending on a purpose of use and the like, and normally 10 to 50 μm and so on is preferable.

(Producing Method for Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor 1)

A multilayer ceramic capacitor 1 of the present embodiment is produced by, as similar with a conventional multilayer ceramic capacitor, producing a green chip by a normal printing method or sheet method using a paste, then firing thereof, and firing after printing or transferring an external electrode. Below, a method for producing will be explained specifically.

Firstly, dielectric material (dielectric ceramic compos it ion powder) is prepared, and made into paste to prepare a paste for forming the dielectric layer (dielectric layer paste).

As for the dielectric material, firstly, a material of ABO₃ and a material of the oxide of R are prepared. As for these materials, the above mentioned main component and oxide other than the main component, mixtures thereof or composite oxide can be used. Also, various compounds which become the above mentioned oxide or composite oxide by firing, for example, such as carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, hydroxide or organic metal compounds, and mixtures of thereof may be suitably selected and used.

The material of the ABO₃ used may be produced by various methods such as various liquid phase methods (for example, oxalate method, hydrothermal synthesis method, alkoxide method, sol-gel method and the like) as well as so-called solid phase method.

A content of the each compound in the dielectric material may be decided so as to be composition of the above mentioned dielectric ceramic composition after firing. Particle size of the dielectric material is, normally, 0.1 to 1 μm or so on average before the material is made into paste.

The dielectric layer paste may be an organic type paste obtained by kneading the dielectric material and an organic vehicle, or a water-based paste.

The organic vehicle is obtained by dissolving a binder in an organic solvent. The binder used for the organic vehicle is not particularly limited, and may be suitably selected from various normal binders such as ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl butyral and the like. Also, the organic solvent is not particularly limited, and may be suitably selected from various solvents such as terpineol, butyl carbitol, acetone, toluene and the like depending on the method such as printing method or sheet method.

Also, when preparing the dielectric layer paste as water-based paste, a water-based vehicle obtained by dissolving a water soluble binder, dispersion agent and the like in water, and the dielectric material may be kneaded. The water-soluble binder used for the water-based vehicle is not particularly limited, and for example, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, water-soluble acrylic resin and the like can be used.

An internal electrode layer paste is obtained by kneading conducting materials consisting of the above mentioned various conducting metals and alloys, or various oxides, organic metallic compound and resinate, etc., which become the above-mentioned conducting materials after firing, with the above-mentioned organic vehicle. Also, the internal electrode layer may include inhibitor. As for the inhibitor, although not particularly limited, it is preferable that it has a similar composition as the main component.

The external electrode paste can be prepared as similar with the above mentioned internal electrode layer paste.

A content amount of the organic vehicle in the each of the above mentioned paste is not particularly limited, and may be normal content amount, and for example, it may be 1 to 5 wt % or so of the binder, 10 to 50 wt % or so of the solvent. Also, in the each paste, additives selected from various dispersant agent, plasticizer, dielectric material, insulation material and the like may be included if needed. A total amount thereof is preferably 10 wt % or less.

When using the printing method, the dielectric layer paste and the internal electrode layer paste are printed on a substrate such as PET and the like and stacking them, and cutting the stack to a predetermined shape, and after that, a green chip is obtained by removing from the substrate.

When using the sheet method, a green sheet is formed by using the dielectric layer paste, after printing the internal electrode layer paste thereon so as to form an internal electrode pattern, and then, they are stacked so as to obtain a green chip.

Binder removal treatment is performed to the green chip, before firing. As for the binder removal conditions, a temperature rising rate is preferably 5 to 300° C./hr, a holding temperature is preferably 180 to 400° C. and a temperature holding time is preferably 0.5 to 24 hrs. Also, binder removal atmosphere is air or reduced atmosphere.

After the binder removal treatment, the green chip is fired. A temperature rising rate is preferably 100 to 500° C./hr. A holding temperature is preferably 1300° C. or less, more preferably 1150 to 1280° C., and a holding time is preferably 0.5 to 8 hrs, more preferably 2 to 3 hrs. If the holding temperature is below said range, the densification becomes insufficient; and if it exceeds said range, the breakage of the electrode due to the abnormal sintering of the internal electrode layer, the deterioration of the capacitance temperature characteristic due to the dispersion of the constitutional material of the internal electrode layer, or a reduction of the dielectric ceramic composition tend to occur.

Firing atmosphere is preferably reducing atmosphere, as for an atmosphere gas, for example, a wet mixture gas of N₂ and H₂ may be preferably used.

Also, an oxygen partial pressure when firing may be suitably decided depending on a kind of the conductive material in the internal electrode layer paste. When using base metal such as Ni or Ni alloy and the like, the oxygen partial pressure in the firing atmosphere is preferably 10⁻¹⁴ to 10⁻¹° MPa. If the oxygen partial pressure is below said range, the conducting material of the internal electrode layer may have abnormal sintering which results in a breakage thereof. Also, if the oxygen partial pressure exceeds said range, the internal electrode layer tends to oxidize. A temperature descending rate is preferably 50 to 500° C./hr.

It is preferable to perform annealing to a capacitor element body after firing in the reducing atmosphere. The annealing is a treatment for reoxidation of the dielectric layer, and thereby the reliability is improved, because IR lifetime (lifetime of insulation resistance) can be made extremely longer.

An oxygen partial pressure in the anneal atmosphere is preferably 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁵ MPa. When the oxygen partial pressure is less than the above range, reoxidation of the dielectric layer is difficult; and when exceeding the above range, oxidation of the internal electrode layer tends to be progressed.

Also, a holding temperature at the time of annealing is preferably 1100° C. or below, particularly preferably 1000 to 1100° C. When the holding temperature is less than the above mentioned range, the dielectric layer may not be sufficiently oxidized. As a result, IR can be easy to lower and IR lifetime can easily be shortened. On the other hand, when the holding temperature exceeds the above mentioned range, not only reduction of a capacitance due to oxidization of the internal electrode layer, but also deterioration of the capacitance temperature characteristic, decrease in IR and reduction of IR lifetime can easily occur. Note that, the annealing can only be constituted by the temperature rising process and temperature descending process. Namely, the temperature holding time may be 0. In this case, the holding time is same as a maximum temperature.

As for other annealing conditions, a temperature holding time is preferably 0 to 20 hrs, more preferably 2 to 4 hrs, and a temperature descending rate is preferably 50 to 500° C./hr, more preferably 100 to 300° C./hr. Also, as for an atmosphere gas of the annealing, for example, it is preferable to use wet N₂ gas and the like.

In the above mentioned binder removal treatment, firing and annealing, in order to wet the N₂ gas and mixture gas and the like, for example, a wetter and the like may be used. In this case, a water temperature is preferably 5 to 75° C. or so.

The binder removal treatment, firing and annealing may be performed continuously or individually.

An end face polishing is conducted to a capacitor element body obtained as above, for example, by barrel polishing or sandblast, and then, an external electrode paste is printed to bake, so that an external electrode 4 is formed. Then a covering layer is formed on a surface of the external electrode 4 by plating and the like if needed.

Thus produced multilayer ceramic capacitor of the present embodiment is used for various electronic components and the like by mounting the same on a print circuit board and the like with soldering and the like.

The foregoing has been described with respect to an embodiment of the present invention, however, the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned embodiment at all, and various modifications can be made within a scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, a multilayer ceramic capacitor is explained as an example of a ceramic electronic component according to the present invention. However, such ceramic electronic component is not limited to a multilayer ceramic capacitor and may be any as far as it includes the above composition.

EXAMPLES

Below, the present invention will be explained based on further detailed examples, however, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1

First, BaTiO₃ powder as material of ABO₃, Dy₂O₃ powder as material of oxide of RA, Ho₂O₃ powder as material of oxide of RB and Yb₂O₃ powder as material of oxide of RC were prepared. Also, MgCO₃ powder as material of oxide of Mg, MnO powder as material of oxide of Mn, V₂O₅ powder as material of oxide of V and SiO₂ powder as a sintering agent were prepared.

Next, respective powder materials prepared in the above procedure were weighed so as to have the amounts shown in Table 1, and then mixed and pulverized by a ball mill for 10 hours followed by drying to obtain a dielectric material. Note that for samples 7 and 8, Tb₄O₇ powder (sample 7) and Gd₂O₃ powder (sample 8) as material of oxide of RA were prepared. For sample 12, Y₂O₃ powder as material of oxide of RB was prepared. For sample 16, Lu₂O₃ powder as material of oxide of RC was prepared. Also, MgCO₃ will be included as MgO in dielectric ceramic composition after firing.

Next, 100 parts by weight of the obtained dielectric material, 10 parts by weight of polyvinyl butyral resin, 5 parts by weight of dioctylphthalate (DOP) as a plasticizer and 100 parts by weight of alcohol as solvent were mixed by a ball-mill and made into a paste, so that a dielectric layer paste was obtained.

Also, 44.6 parts by weight of Ni particle, 52 parts by weight of terpineol, 3 parts by weight of ethylcellulose, 0.4 part by weight of benzotriazole were kneaded by triple roll mill and made into a paste, so that an internal electrode layer paste was obtained.

Then, a green sheet was formed on a PET film by using the dielectric layer paste prepared in the above procedure so that thickness of the green sheet was 4.5 μm after drying. Next, after an electrode layer was printed thereon with a predetermined pattern by using the internal electrode layer paste, a sheet was removed from the PET film, so that a green sheet having the electrode layer was made. Next, a plurality of green sheets having the electrode layer were stacked and adhered by pressure to form a green stacking body. The green stacking body was cut in a predetermined size to obtain a green chip.

Next, the obtained green chip was subject to binder removal treatment, firing and annealing under following conditions, so that a multilayer ceramic firing body was obtained.

The binder removal treatment was performed under a condition of a temperature rising rate: 25° C./hr, a holding temperature: 260° C., a holding time: 8 hrs and atmosphere: in the air.

The firing was performed under a condition of a temperature rising rate: 200° C./hr, a holding temperature: 1240° C., a holding time: 2 hrs and a temperature descending rate: 200° C./hr. Note that, an atmosphere gas was wet N₂+H₂ mixture gas so that an oxygen partial pressure was adjusted to 10⁻¹² MPa.

The annealing was performed under a condition of a temperature rising rate: 200° C./hr, a holding temperature: 1000° C., a holding time: 2 hrs, a temperature descending rate: 200° C./hr and atmosphere gas: wet N₂ gas (oxygen partial pressure 10⁻⁷ MPa).

Note that, a wetter was used for wetting the atmosphere gas at the firing and annealing.

Next, after polishing an end face of the obtained multilayer ceramic firing body by sandblast, Cu was coated as an external electrode so that a multilayer ceramic capacitor sample shown in FIG. 1 was obtained. A size of the obtained capacitor sample was 3.2 mm×1.6 mm×0.6 mm, a thickness of the dielectric layer was 3.0 μm, a thickness of the internal electrode layer was 1.1 μm, and a number of the dielectric layer sandwiched by the internal electrode layer was set to 4.

For the obtained each capacitor sample, a specific permittivity, a CR product, a capacitance temperature characteristic and a high temperature accelerated lifetime (HALT) were measured by the methods shown below.

(Specific Permittivity ∈)

The specific permittivity ∈ was calculated from a capacitance of the obtained capacitor sample measured at a reference temperature of 25° C. with a digital LCR meter (4274A made by YHP) under a condition of a frequency of 1 kHz and an input signal level (measurement voltage) of 1.0 Vrms. Higher specific permittivity is preferable, and in the present example, samples in which specific permittivity was 1500 or higher were determined as good. The results are shown in Table 1.

(CR Product)

On each capacitor sample, insulation resistance IR was measured after applying a direct-current voltage of 10 V/μm at 20° C. for 1 minute by using an insulation resistance tester (R8340A made by Advantest Corporation). A CR product was measured by obtaining a product of capacitance C (unit: μF) measured as explained above and insulation resistance IR (unit: MΩ). In the present examples, the samples in which the CR product was 500 or higher were determined as good. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Capacitance Temperature Characteristic)

To the capacitor samples, a capacitance from −55 to 125° C. was measured so as to calculate a change rate ΔC of the capacitance, and it was evaluated whether the change rate satisfied the X7R characteristic of EIA standard or not. Namely, it was evaluated whether the change rate ΔC through the above temperature range was within ±15% or not. The results are shown in Table 1.

(High Temperature Accelerated Lifetime)

To the capacitor samples, the lifetime was measured while applying the direct voltage under the electric field of 48 V/μm at 195° C., and thereby the high temperature load lifetime was evaluated. In the present example, the lifetime was defined as the time from the beginning of the voltage application until the insulation resistance dropped by one digit. Also, this high temperature accelerated lifetime evaluation was performed to 20 capacitor samples so that an average value was defined as the high temperature accelerated lifetime. In the present example, sample in which the lifetime was 3 hours or longer was determined as good. The results are shown in Table 1.

Also, in the Table 1, the samples whose firing temperature was 1300° C. or less were expressed as “good”, and the samples whose firing temperature was more than 1300° C. were expressed as “bad”.

TABLE 1 MgO SiO₂ V₂O₅ MnO Temperature in in in in change Firing terms RA₂O₃ RB₂O₃ RC₂O₃ terms terms terms CR rate of tem- Sample BaTiO₃ of Mg α β γ of Si of V of Mn Specific product capacitance HALT pera- No. [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] α/β β/γ permittivity [μF · MΩ] [%] [h] ture  1 100 0.80 1.20 0.40 0.40 1.60 0.03 0.16 3.00  1.00 2300 2613 −12.2  6.5 good  2 100 1.30 1.20 0.40 0.40 1.60 0.03 0.16 3.00  1.00 1927 2901  −8.1  8.2 good  3 100 2.00 1.20 0.40 0.40 1.60 0.03 0.16 3.00  1.00 1706 3491 −10.2  7.0 good  4 100 1.00 1.00 0.25 0.25 1.80 0.09 0.12 4.00  1.00 2214 1345  −6.5  6.2 good  5 100 1.00 1.70 0.40 0.30 1.80 0.09 0.12 4.25  1.33 1980 1465  −9.3  9.5 good  6 100 1.00 2.50 0.60 0.10 1.80 0.09 0.12 4.17  6.00 1726 1521 −12.4  9.1 good  7 100 1.00 1.70 0.40 0.30 1.80 0.09 0.12 4.25  1.33 1856 1421 −11.1  9.1 good (Tb)  8 100 1.00 1.70 0.40 0.30 1.80 0.09 0.12 4.25  1.33 1732 1476 −11.7  8.1 good (Gd)  9 100 1.50 1.00 0.20 0.12 2.60 0.06 0.13 5.00  1.67 2358 2345  −7.1  8.1 good 10 100 1.50 1.90 0.60 0.60 2.60 0.06 0.13 3.17  1.00 2134 2109  −8.5 10.6 good 11 100 1.50 2.50 1.00 0.50 2.60 0.06 0.13 2.50  2.00 1825 2054  −9.8  5.1 good 12 100 1.50 1.90 0.60 0.60 2.60 0.06 0.13 3.17  1.00 2186 2142  −8.7  7.6 good (Y) 13 100 1.80 2.50 1.00 0.10 2.80 0.05 0.10 2.50 10.00 1987 2065 −10.5  9.6 good 14 100 1.80 2.30 0.80 0.60 2.80 0.05 0.10 2.88  1.33 1874 1981  −7.3  8.2 good 15 100 1.80 2.50 1.00 1.00 2.80 0.05 0.10 2.50  1.00 1654 1893  −5.4  6.1 good 16 100 1.80 2.30 0.80 0.60 2.80 0.05 0.10 2.88  1.33 1855 1962  −6.9  6.1 good (Lu)   17a 100 1.70 2.30 0.90 0.90 1.20 0.10 0.18 2.56  1.00 1950 1408  −9.5  7.5 good 17 100 1.70 2.30 0.90 0.90 1.50 0.10 0.18 2.56  1.00 1965 1344 −10.1  7.9 good 18 100 1.70 2.30 0.90 0.90 1.90 0.10 0.18 2.56  1.00 1807 1206 −12.2  8.5 good 19 100 1.70 2.30 0.90 0.90 3.00 0.10 0.18 2.56  1.00 2489 1108 −12.9  3.7 good 20 100 0.80 1.20 0.32 0.40 1.60 0.03 0.16 3.75  0.80 2410 2730 −10.5  6.4 good 21 100 0.80 1.20 0.25 0.40 1.60 0.03 0.16 4.80  0.63 2490 2835  −8.0  3.9 good 22 100 0.80 1.20 0.40 0.50 1.60 0.03 0.16 3.00  0.80 2205 2635  −9.8  6.3 good 23 100 0.80 1.20 0.40 0.80 1.60 0.03 0.16 3.00  0.50 1995 2690  −6.1  3.2 good 24 100 0.80 1.20 0.42 0.44 1.60 0.03 0.16 2.86  0.95 2250 2645 −10.1  7.3 good

From the Table 1, when the contents and ratios of the Mg oxide, the RA oxide, the RB oxide, the RC oxide and the Si oxide were within the range of the present invention, it was confirmed that the dielectric ceramic composition which showed high temperature accelerated lifetime with satisfying X7R characteristic and furthermore showed high specific permittivity was obtained. Also, when using other elements except for Dy, Ho and Yb as RA, RB and RC, respectively, it was confirmed that similar effect was obtained.

Example 2

Except that contents of the respective components were set as the amounts shown in Table 2, multilayer ceramic capacitor samples were made as similar with the example 1 and characteristic evaluations as similar with the example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 2. Note that, for sample 47, Tb₄O₇ powder as material of oxide of RA and Y₂O₃ powder as material of oxide of RB were prepared. For sample 48, Y₂O₃ powder as material of oxide of RB was prepared.

TABLE 2 MgO SiO₂ V₂O₅ MnO Temperature in in in in change Firing Sam- terms RA₂O₃ RB₂O₃ RC₂O₃ terms terms terms CR rate of tem- ple BaTiO₃ of Mg α β γ of Si of V of Mn Specific product capacitance HALT pera- No. [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] α/β β/γ permittivity [μF · MΩ] [%] [h] ture *31   100 0.50 1.20 0.40 0.40 1.60 0.03 0.16  3.00  1.00 2600 2276 −17.8 4.2  good *32   100 3.00 1.20 0.40 0.40 1.60 0.03 0.16  3.00  1.00 1400 3521 −14.6 1.8  good *33   100 1.00 0.50 0.25 0.25 1.80 0.09 0.12  2.00  1.00 2478 1292  −5.2 0.3  good *33a 100 1.20 3.00 0.80 0.20 2.40 0.04 0.10  3.75  4.00 1860 1472 −17.5 5.1  good *34   100 1.00 4.00 0.40 0.30 1.80 0.09 0.12 10.0  1.33 1325 1623 −18.1 5.1  good *35   100 1.50 1.00 0.01 0.10 2.60 0.06 0.13 100.0   0.10 2367 2391 −15.8 3.2  good *36   100 1.50 2.50 3.00 0.50 2.60 0.06 0.13  0.83  6.00 1389 1891  −9.8 2.3  good *37   100 1.80 2.50 1.00 0.01 2.80 0.05 0.10  2.50 100.0  1998 2145 −20.1 9.1  good *38   100 1.80 2.30 0.80 3.00 2.80 0.05 0.10  2.88  0.27 1264 1567  −4.3 1.6  good *39   100 1.70 2.30 0.90 0.90 1.00 0.10 0.18  2.56  1.00 1875 1567 −15.9 6.5  bad *40   100 1.70 2.30 0.90 0.90 4.00 0.10 0.18  2.56  1.00 2856 1091 −14.1 0.6  good *40a 100 1.40 2.50 0.20 0.20 1.80 0.05 0.15  12.50  1.00 2010 1355 −16.9 4.8  good *41   100 1.30 1.00 — — 1.60 0.03 0.16 — — 2198 2789 −20.4 4.1  good *42   100 1.30 — 1.00 — 1.60 0.03 0.16 0 — 2256 2891 −17.8 2.3  good *43   100 1.30 — — 1.00 1.60 0.03 0.16 — 0  2478 3091  −3.2 0.01 good *44   100 1.00 1.00 0.50 — 2.00 0.05 0.14  2.00 — 1981 2345 −16.5 5.2  good *45   100 1.00 1.00 — 0.50 2.00 0.05 0.14 — 0  2128 2291  −7.1 1.6  good *46   100 1.00 — 1.00 0.50 2.00 0.05 0.14 0  2.00 2261 2451  −5.5 0.34 good *47   100 1.40 2.40 0.90 — 2.55 0.06 0.17  2.67 — 1781 2387 −22.2 5.1  good (Tb) (Y) *48   100 2.00 — 1.00 4.00 3.00 0.01 0.38 0   0.25 1964 3906  −2.1 0.01 good (Y) *49   100 0.80 1.20 0.40 1.00 1.60 0.03 0.16  3.00  0.40 1880 2750  −4.5 2.1  good Samples with “*” mark are comparative examples of the present invention

From the Table 2, when the contents and ratios of the Mg oxide, the RA oxide, the RB oxide, the RC oxide and the Si oxide were without the range of the present invention (samples No. 31 to 40a), it was confirmed that at least any one of the specific permittivity, X7R characteristic and high temperature accelerated lifetime were deteriorated. Also, when only one kind or two kinds of rare earth elements (RA, RB and RC) were included (samples No. 41 to 48), it was confirmed that X7R characteristic and high temperature accelerated lifetime failed to be compatible. Also, even when the contents of the Mg oxide, the RA oxide, the RB oxide, the RC oxide and the Si oxide were within the ranges of the present invention but their ratios were without the ranges of the present invention (sample No. 49), it was confirmed that, for example, high temperature accelerated lifetime was deteriorated.

Example 3

Except for changing contents of the oxide of V and the oxide of Mn, multilayer ceramic capacitor samples were made as similar with the example 1 and characteristic evaluations as similar with the example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 MgO SiO₂ V₂O₅ MnO Temperature in in in in change Firing terms RA₂O₃ RB₂O₃ RC₂O₃ terms terms terms CR rate of tem- Sample BaTiO₃ of Mg α β γ of Si of V of Mn Specific product capacitance HALT pera- No. [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] [mol] α/β β/γ permittivity [μF · MΩ] [%] [h] ture **61 100 2.00 2.00 0.70 0.70 1.50 0.01 0.20 2.86 1.00 2136 4567  −8.2  2.0 good  62 100 2.00 2.00 0.70 0.70 1.50 0.03 0.20 2.86 1.00 2114 3456  −8.7  3.6 good  63 100 2.00 2.00 0.70 0.70 1.50 0.07 0.20 2.86 1.00 2035 2679  −7.8  6.4 good  64 100 2.00 2.00 0.70 0.70 1.50 0.12 0.20 2.86 1.00 2011  781  −7.5 10.5 good **65 100 2.00 2.00 0.70 0.70 1.50 0.15 0.20 2.86 1.00 1989  340  −8.0  8.9 good **66 100 0.70 1.60 0.50 0.50 2.10 0.07 0.05 3.20 1.00 2258  451  −9.2  3.1 good  67 100 0.70 1.60 0.50 0.50 2.10 0.07 0.10 3.20 1.00 2108  782  −9.7  7.4 good  68 100 0.70 1.60 0.50 0.50 2.10 0.07 0.15 3.20 1.00 1980 1465  −8.9  7.2 good  69 100 0.70 1.60 0.50 0.50 2.10 0.07 0.20 3.20 1.00 1945 1976 −12.1  7.5 good **70 100 0.70 1.60 0.50 0.50 2.10 0.07 0.30 3.20 1.00 1745 1997 −15.2  3.2 good Samples with “**” mark are reference examples of the present invention

From the Table 3, when the contents of the oxide of V and the oxide of Mn were without preferable ranges of the present invention (samples No. 61, 65, 66 and 70), it was confirmed that any one of the CR product, X7R characteristic and high temperature accelerated lifetime were deteriorated.

Example 4

Except that thicknesses of the dielectric layer (interlayer thickness) of samples 2, 47 and 48 were set as the values shown in Table 4, multilayer ceramic capacitor samples were made as similar with the example 1 and characteristic evaluations as similar with the example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Thick- Temper- ness ature of the change dielec- rate of Firing tric CR capac- tem- Sample layer Specific product itance HALT pera- No. [μm] permittivity [μF · MΩ] [%] [h] ture  2a 1.0 2011 2635 −13.3 3.1   good  2b 1.5 1954 2827 −12.1 4.5   good  2 3.0 1927 2901  −8.1 8.2   good  2c 4.0 1921 3011  −7.2 15.1    good  2d 5.0 1919 3054  −6.8 26.1    good *47a 1.0 1897 2109 −29.1 2.0   good *47b 1.5 1823 2232 −27.4 2.8   good *47  3.0 1781 2387 −22.2 5.1   good *47c 4.0 1771 2456 −19.2 9.6   good *47d 5.0 1773 2498 −17.4 17.2    good *48a 1.0 2015 3345  −7.2  0.01> good *48b 1.5 1981 3621  −4.4  0.01> good *48  3.0 1964 3906  −2.1  0.01   good *48c 4.0 1951 4100  −2.2  0.02   good *48d 5.0 1948 4151  −2.0  0.03   good Samples with “*” mark are comparative examples of the present invention

From the Table 4, even when the thickness of the dielectric layer of sample 2 was made thinner, it was confirmed that good high temperature accelerated lifetime was obtained, and in addition, high specific permittivity was obtained with satisfying X7R characteristic.

On the other hand, when the thickness of the dielectric layer of sample 47 was made thinner, it was confirmed that the sample failed to satisfy X7R characteristic, and in addition, showed that high temperature accelerated lifetime tended to be deteriorated. Also, when the thickness of the dielectric layer of sample 48 was made thinner, it was confirmed that high temperature accelerated lifetime was extremely deteriorated while the sample satisfied X7R characteristic. 

1. A dielectric ceramic composition comprising: a compound having perovskite type crystal structure shown by a general formula ABO₃, where A is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca and Sr, and B is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti and Zr, as a main component; as subcomponents, with respect to 100 moles of said compound, 0.6 to 2.5 moles of an oxide of RA in terms of RA₂O₃, where RA is at least one selected from the group consisting of Dy, Gd and Tb; 0.2 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of RB in terms of RB₂O₃, where RB is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ho and Y; 0.1 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of RC in terms of RC₂O₃, where RC is at least one selected from the group consisting of Yb and Lu; 0.8 to 2.0 moles of an oxide of Mg in terms of Mg; and 1.2 to 3.0 moles of an oxide including Si in terms of Si, wherein when contents of said oxide of RA, said oxide of RB and said oxide of RC with respect to 100 moles of said compound are defined as “α”, “β” and “γ”, respectively, said “α”, “β” and “γ” satisfy relations of 1.2≦(α/β)≦5.0 and 0.5≦(β/γ)≦10.0.
 2. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein 0.5≦(β/γ)<1.0.
 3. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein 1.0≦(β/γ)≦10.0.
 4. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 1 further comprising, as a subcomponent, 0.03 to 0.12 mole of an oxide of at least one selected from the group consisting of V, Mo and W in terms of V, Mo and W.
 5. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 2 further comprising, as a subcomponent, 0.03 to 0.12 mole of an oxide of at least one selected from the group consisting of V, Mo and W in terms of V, Mo and W.
 6. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 3 further comprising, as a subcomponent, 0.03 to 0.12 mole of an oxide of at least one selected from the group consisting of V, Mo and W in terms of V, Mo and W.
 7. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 1 further comprising, as a subcomponent, 0.10 to 0.2 mole of an oxide of Mn and/or Cr in terms of Mn and Cr.
 8. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 2 further comprising, as a subcomponent, 0.10 to 0.2 mole of an oxide of Mn and/or Cr in terms of Mn and Cr.
 9. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 3 further comprising, as a subcomponent, 0.10 to 0.2 mole of an oxide of Mn and/or Cr in terms of Mn and Cr.
 10. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ABO₃ is BaTiO₃.
 11. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 2, wherein said ABO₃ is BaTiO₃.
 12. The dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 3, wherein said ABO₃ is BaTiO₃.
 13. A ceramic electronic component comprising a dielectric layer composed of said dielectric ceramic composition as set forth in claim 1 and an electrode, wherein a thickness of said dielectric layer is 5.0 μm or less.
 14. The ceramic electronic component as set forth in claim 13, wherein said dielectric ceramic composition further comprises, as subcomponents, 0.03 to 0.12 mole of an oxide of at least one selected from the group consisting of V, Mo and W in terms of V, Mo and W, and 0.10 to 0.2 mole of an oxide of Mn and/or Cr in terms of Mn and Cr. 